UAE leaders offer condolences on passing of Pope Francis
The first South American pontiff died aged 88 after Easter appearance in St Peter’s Square
DUBAI: The President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Catholic community worldwide following the death of Pope Francis.
In a message shared on his official social media account, Sheikh Mohamed praised the pontiff for his lifelong commitment to peace and understanding.
“I extend my deepest condolences to Catholics around the world on the passing of Pope Francis, who dedicated his life to promoting the principles of peaceful coexistence and understanding,” he wrote.
I extend my deepest condolences to Catholics around the world on the passing of Pope Francis, who dedicated his life to promoting the principles of peaceful coexistence and understanding. May he rest in peace.
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) April 21, 2025
Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, also expressed his sorrow. Sharing his message on social media, he described the Pope as a “great leader whose compassion and commitment to peace touched countless lives.” He added that the Pope’s “legacy of humility and interfaith unity will continue to inspire many communities around the world.”
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis @Pontifex , a great leader whose compassion and commitment to peace touched countless lives. His legacy of humility and interfaith unity will continue to inspire many communities around the world . pic.twitter.com/5LwoJq2Hxr
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 21, 2025
Pope Francis
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and the first member of the Jesuit order to ascend to the papacy, died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, according to the Vatican. He had appeared publicly just a day earlier in St Peter’s Square to deliver his traditional Easter blessing, known as Urbi et Orbi. Despite health concerns, he made several appearances over the Holy Week, including a visit to a Rome prison on Thursday and a moment of reflection at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday night.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, the Argentinian Pope was elected in 2013 and quickly became known for his reformist agenda and modernising influence within the Catholic Church. He was also the first pope to adopt the name Francis, inspired by St Francis of Assisi, a symbol of humility and care for the poor.
Pope Francis sought to build bridges between faiths and frequently addressed global humanitarian crises, including war, migration, and climate change. He advanced Vatican efforts to confront financial misconduct and launched initiatives to combat clerical abuse.
He worked extensively to improve relations with the Muslim world, including his historic meeting with Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi in 2019. That landmark event led to the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity, a move praised widely by interfaith communities and UAE leadership alike.